ECLIPSES OF THE TIME WHEN WE WHERE KIDS: VIVENTIALLY MEANINGFUL MEMORIES OF SOLAR ECLIPSES

Abstract

We developed a qualitative interpretative study with adults older than 65, about their memories of when they were kids, associated with solar eclipses that occurred between 1921 and 1960 (18 partial, 4 annular and 3 total). We seek to corroborate whether the "experientially meaningful" experiences of childhood, in this case: the visualization of Sun eclipses, can be recovered decades later through memories, with a good degree of correspondence with the phenomenon occurred. Records were obtained requesting the description of the memory, the age they had, at what time and place and with whom they saw it, and how they learned of the occurrence of the phenomenon. The study was developed over several years through personal interviews and written questionnaires; the participation of older adults was voluntary. With those memories whose space-time story allowed it, we identified what would have been the observed eclipse, also located on the map of Argentina who and from where they saw the same eclipse. Our objective is to provide new elements to support an Astronomy Teaching that not only tends to the construction of meaningful learning in general, but also to generate life experiences that are meaningful for people and socially relevant for all.